Southeast experienced some success in 2011, but a three-win season is hardly satisfying for the Golden Buffaloes. The 2012 campaign brings a hopeful look for Southeast.
Coach: Chris Asmussen (3-6 in one year at Southeast)
2011 Recap: Finished 3-6, missed state playoffs by one game.
Returning Starters: 6 Offense, 3 Defense
Returning Lettermen: 15
2012 District: Derby (@ Carpenter Stadium), @ Heights, East (@ Northwest)
2012 Schedule
2012 Outlook:
OFFENSE:
The Southeast offensive squad returns almost all of its line and backfield for the 2012 season. The Golden Buffaloes’ attack was fairly potent in 2011, as it averaged 27.9 points per game and 298.7 total yards per game. It’s nothing but good news for Southeast to have its backfield returning. This is a backfield group that averaged 208.7 yards rushing per game and 5.3 yards per carry. It gained 1,878 rushing yards on the season.
Those already solid numbers have the potential to be on the rise in 2012. The return of Southeast’s offensive line means that the quarterback will be one of the only fresh faces on the field, but he still took snaps on varsity in 2011. More than half of Southeast’s 2011 offense will return for the upcoming season.
In order for any team to be successful on offense, it must have a good offensive line. The line taking the field for the Golden Buffaloes has much experience and now knows what it’s like to win games. With nearly 28 points per game, Southeast should be staring at a few more wins for the 2012 season.
DEFENSE:
Although the Southeast offense scored a ton of points and wasn’t afraid of a shootout with anybody, its defense is what allowed the shootout in the first place. The 2011 defensive squad allowed 36.8 points per game, and with just three guys returning, that number is likely to be higher with less experience.
Head Coach Chris Asmussen hopes this young group will be aggressive on this side of the ball, where the team is the youngest. Southeast lost several seniors last year, and most were on defense. The Golden Buffaloes allowed the most rushing yards in the city league in 2011, but was in the exact middle of the league when it came to rush yards per carry.
The Southeast run defense will need to greatly improve to experience any kind of success in 2012. What’s more, Southeast allowed the league’s most total yards per game in 2011. A young defense will have to grow up quickly to ensure that doesn’t happen again.
ODDS AND ENDS:
Asmussen wants to get back to the roots of Southeast football, when the team was a force to be reckoned with in the City League.
“We want to revisit the tradition that made this school a dominate force in the 70s, 80s and 90s,” said Asmussen. “We have looked to these traditions for guidance, but have also accepted the world of athletics has changed and we must change with it.”
Southeast kicks off the season at Dodge City, a game that ended in a 69-46 loss for the Golden Buffaloes in 2011. From there, it is an all-city league schedule until the start of district play against Derby, one of the top teams in 6A. Southeast’s second game of district is against state runner-up Heights. It will take some serious work for the Golden Buffaloes to make the state playoffs.
